'We don't have money and neither does Siddaramaiah': Empty-coffer remarks embarrass Karnataka govt; home minister G Parameshwara says it was only in jest

BENGALURU/BAGALKOT: A tongue-in-cheek remark by Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara about shortage of funds in the state govt has triggered a political firestorm and social-media frenzy, after a video of his speech in North Karnataka's Badami went viral.This prompted Parameshwara to issue a clarification on Tuesday, insisting his comments in jest had been misconstrued as a suggestion that the Congress govt was facing a financial crunch.Speaking at the inauguration of a fire station in Badami Monday evening, Parameshwara urged local Congress MLA BB Chimmankatti to think big and push for a Rs 1,000-crore development plan for the region, once the capital of the Chalukya dynasty.

"Draft a plan worth Rs 1,000 crore for the development of Badami assembly constituency and send it to the Union govt. We don't have money, and neither does Siddaramaiah," he said, prompting laughter from the audience.HM clarifies there's no financial distress The home minister doubled down on the point for comic effect. "After providing rice, lentils, and oil, the funds are depleted," he quipped, before gesturing to excise minister RB Timmapur and adding with a grin, "The 'enne' (liquor or excise) minister is right here," drawing peals of laughter from the crowd.

While the humorous tone elicited chuckles at the event, the viral clip has since ignited serious political chatter and left the govt red-faced. The minister said on Tuesday: "I have not said like that, who said there is no money? I have defended the govt, saying we have presented a record budget... as someone said things jokingly during the speech, I reacted in a similar fashion, that's all."Reiterating the fiscal strength of the state, the minister said, "A sum of Rs 22,000 crore has been allocated for irrigation in the budget.

Allocations have been made for the five guarantee schemes, and instructions have been made to prepare an action plan for Rs 50 crore in every constituency."He added, "I'm now saying officially that there is no financial distress in our govt. I'm saying it very clearly. Sometimes, there may be a delay in the release of funds, as DPR and estimates have to be prepared before releasing money. There may be some delay in that; other than that, there is nothing else."Despite the explanation, Parameshwara's remark - "We don't have the money, and neither does Siddaramaiah" - continues to dominate discussions, with political opponents questioning the fiscal health of the state and the delivery of five welfare guarantees.